The House of Representatives caucus of the African Democratic Congress has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack and prosecute the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over allegations of partisanship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was made public on Monday by the caucus leader, Afam Ogene, who presented the resolution after a meeting in Abuja.
Ogene said recent actions and alleged statements attributed to Amupitan raised doubts about his neutrality and ability to conduct a free and credible 2027 election.
“The caucus raised concerns regarding the impartiality and neutrality of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan, to oversee a free, fair, and credible 2027 general elections. This follows recent public statements and actions by the chairman that have been deemed compromising, partisan, and conflicted.
“It has been alleged that he previously made a partisan statement on his personal X account, wherein he expressed support for the ruling All Progressives Congress. Additionally, he has been accused of posting content alleging Christian genocide in Nigeria.
“Although INEC has denied that Prof Amupitan is the owner of the X account in question, digital forensic analysis and other online investigations by various sources suggest that the account is indeed his and that the phone number used to create it is registered in his name.
“This has raised concerns regarding his transparency, integrity, and trustworthiness, particularly given the critical nature of the office he holds, which will have far-reaching implications for the nation,” the statement read.
He added that the caucus is therefore demanding his removal and prosecution to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The development comes amid an escalating leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress, which the caucus attributes to actions of the electoral commission.
At the centre of the dispute is the removal of former Senate President David Mark as the recognised party leader.
Mark was previously acknowledged by INEC as the authentic leader of the ADC after meeting all legal requirements, a position backed by official documentation, including an affidavit issued by the commission.
However, INEC’s later withdrawal of that recognition and alleged approval of a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala has triggered internal conflict and legal battles within the party.
The caucus said INEC’s involvement in what it described as an internal party matter has deepened the crisis and could hinder the party’s participation in the 2027 elections.
The lawmakers also raised concerns about alleged judicial interference in political disputes and vowed to petition the National Judicial Council over alleged misconduct by some judges.
They urged Nigerians to unite in defending democracy, warning that public trust in both the judiciary and electoral bodies is declining due to perceived bias and inconsistent judgments.
The caucus further called for stronger accountability within the judiciary, citing concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association about alleged political influence and erosion of judicial integrity.
